In pictures: Life of Sathya Sai Baba

Sai Baba, whose real name was Sathyanarayana Raju, was born on November 23, 1926 at Puttaparthi. In 1940, he claimed that he is an "avatar" of god.

Sathya Sai Baba, one of India's most famous spiritual leaders with thousands of followers in the country and abroad, died on Sunday after a prolonged illness. He was 85.

He became famous with his miracles but stopped performing the same after rationalists accused him of fraud. Since then Sai Baba had been focusing on social and charitable work. (with inputs from agencies)